optikeye:But the libertarian's say the free market will take care of this kind of thing because people won't buy Freedom Industries product now.

In the libertarian world the aggrieved would demand recompense for the damage done to them. If they can turn a profit while still paying people they keep hurting then they'll stay around. However, it's never a good business model to throw money away just because you're careless. Unless a company gets some kind of subsidy because they're too big to fail, they'll either have to stop leaking chemicals or go out of business.

I am so glad this article identified the chemical in question, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol. I saw a 30 minute report on this last night that covered every angle except saying what the toxin was. Having a chemical background I was going apeshiat with the glaring hole in the reporting.

What we need here are not government regulations, but free market solutions. If there were no EPA, consumers would simply choose another supplier for their coal foaming agent needs. Now, because of onerous regulations, Freedom Industries might pay a fine. An eagle is crying - possibly because of coal foaming agent in its eyes. This is on you libs.

Mrbogey:optikeye: But the libertarian's say the free market will take care of this kind of thing because people won't buy Freedom Industries product now.

In the libertarian world the aggrieved would demand recompense for the damage done to them. If they can turn a profit while still paying people they keep hurting then they'll stay around. However, it's never a good business model to throw money away just because you're careless. Unless a company gets some kind of subsidy because they're too big to fail, they'll either have to stop leaking chemicals or go out of business.

Now does all this happen before or after the Dance of Liberty around the community garbage fire? And when demanding recompense does the defendant have to be wearing the Speaking Coonskin Hat or is open discourse encouraged?

JoieD'Zen:I'd just like to add that WV has more Powerball winners than other states.

In general? 'Cos not "jackpot".

"More jackpot-winning Powerball tickets - 16 since 2003 - have been sold in the Keystone State than any other state or U.S. territory participating in the big multistate lottery game, according to statistics analyzed by The Star-Ledger." ~ [Source, 6 Aug 2013]

Mrbogey:optikeye: But the libertarian's say the free market will take care of this kind of thing because people won't buy Freedom Industries product now.

In the libertarian world the aggrieved would demand recompense for the damage done to them. If they can turn a profit while still paying people they keep hurting then they'll stay around. However, it's never a good business model to throw money away just because you're careless. Unless a company gets some kind of subsidy because they're too big to fail, they'll either have to stop leaking chemicals or go out of business.

Assuming, of course, the aggrieved can A) Prove damages (How do you know your sickness was caused by our chemical? Our chemical isn't KNOWN to cause any sicknesses, so you'd better prove it was our chemical that made you sick!) B) Have enough money to withstand the lengthy court battle as the company likely has faaarr deeper pockets to afford lawyers that can throw up roadblock after roablock.

If Freedom Industries didn't pollute the water, some other company would. You can't legislate responsibility. None of the Marxists complaining about this see the irony that they're using computers/iPads/smart phones which would be impossible without oil. All you worshipers of Al Gore just want to make the rest of us live in caves and outlaw the internal combustion engine while Al Gore's carbon footprint stamps on a human face--forever.

ArcadianRefugee:JoieD'Zen: I'd just like to add that WV has more Powerball winners than other states.

In general? 'Cos not "jackpot".

"More jackpot-winning Powerball tickets - 16 since 2003 - have been sold in the Keystone State than any other state or U.S. territory participating in the big multistate lottery game, according to statistics analyzed by The Star-Ledger." ~ [Source, 6 Aug 2013]

berylman:I am so glad this article identified the chemical in question, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol. I saw a 30 minute report on this last night that covered every angle except saying what the toxin was. Having a chemical background I was going apeshiat with the glaring hole in the reporting.

Wolf_Blitzer:Mrbogey: In the libertarian world the aggrieved would demand recompense for the damage done to them

And who's going to force the company to fork over? It's not like everyone in West Virginia signed a contract that Freedom shouldn't be dumping in their water.

Most of the West Virginia citizenry continue to felate the big coal machine. It's quite incredible to behold... the corporate worship is just amazing. "Please, please mista, go ahead and poison our water. We need our jerbs!"

Felgraf:Mrbogey: optikeye: But the libertarian's say the free market will take care of this kind of thing because people won't buy Freedom Industries product now.

In the libertarian world the aggrieved would demand recompense for the damage done to them. If they can turn a profit while still paying people they keep hurting then they'll stay around. However, it's never a good business model to throw money away just because you're careless. Unless a company gets some kind of subsidy because they're too big to fail, they'll either have to stop leaking chemicals or go out of business.

Assuming, of course, the aggrieved can A) Prove damages (How do you know your sickness was caused by our chemical? Our chemical isn't KNOWN to cause any sicknesses, so you'd better prove it was our chemical that made you sick!) B) Have enough money to withstand the lengthy court battle as the company likely has faaarr deeper pockets to afford lawyers that can throw up roadblock after roablock.

a particular individual:If Freedom Industries didn't pollute the water, some other company would. You can't legislate responsibility. None of the Marxists complaining about this see the irony that they're using computers/iPads/smart phones which would be impossible without oil. All you worshipers of Al Gore just want to make the rest of us live in caves and outlaw the internal combustion engine while Al Gore's carbon footprint stamps on a human face--forever.

optikeye:But the libertarian's say the free market will take care of this kind of thing because people won't buy Freedom Industries product now.

Felgraf:Mrbogey: optikeye: But the libertarian's say the free market will take care of this kind of thing because people won't buy Freedom Industries product now.

In the libertarian world the aggrieved would demand recompense for the damage done to them. If they can turn a profit while still paying people they keep hurting then they'll stay around. However, it's never a good business model to throw money away just because you're careless. Unless a company gets some kind of subsidy because they're too big to fail, they'll either have to stop leaking chemicals or go out of business.

Assuming, of course, the aggrieved can A) Prove damages (How do you know your sickness was caused by our chemical? Our chemical isn't KNOWN to cause any sicknesses, so you'd better prove it was our chemical that made you sick!) B) Have enough money to withstand the lengthy court battle as the company likely has faaarr deeper pockets to afford lawyers that can throw up roadblock after roablock.

And even if damage is proved, companies often file for bankruptcy so avoid paying for anything close to the damage they've caused. A new company emerging from the bankrupt one, often run by the same people.

That, in a nutshell is why the anti-regulation portion of libertarianism is so naive.

Without regulation, individuals going up against a large corporations is like an average guy going up against an NFL football team. Governments and regulation are the equalizer.

d23:Most of the West Virginia citizenry continue to felate the big coal machine.

In a smelter town next door to my home town (not anywhere near WV), the state was testing school kids for lead, since, you know, smelter. Sure enough, the kids had lead. So did their lawns. So, naturally, the kids' parents did what any responsible parent would do: they made the state quit testing their kids. Problem solved.